New assisted living center to open in Victoria

Victoria has received a new assisted living center geared toward Alzheimer's Disease.

Victoria AlzCare Assisted Living, 4409 N. John Stockbauer Drive, had a grand opening and ribbon cutting Thursday, but will not open for several more weeks, said Larissa Hairell, Victoria AlzCare manager and registered nurse.

The first AlzCare in Victoria opened in 2002 at 8652 Nursery Drive

The new assisted living facility has 16 beds and provides 24-hour care to people with Alzheimer's and other related dementia.

"I think it's a great opportunity, especially for the surrounding counties," Hairell said.

Sodalis, a sister facility to AlzCare, opened in Cuero in 2011.

"What sets us apart is that our team is trained in appropriate communication techniques that are proven to reduce disease-related behaviors," said Mark Rushing, the company's chief executive officer. "We help restore the quality of life that has been lost due to Alzheimer's disease and related dementia."

The idea to open a new facility in Victoria happened last year, when Hairell became manager. The existing facility on Nursery Drive will take care of Alzheimer's and dementia patients who are in the later stages of the disease, while the new facility will care for those in the beginning to the mid-level stage of the disease.

The facility on Nursery Drive has 14 beds and both facilities have a 5-to-1 patient to staff ratio, Hairell said.

"It's a good ratio," she said.

The facilities are designed not like nursing homes, but like homes, which is very important for the patients, Hairell said. Staff takes care of the patients through medication supervision, health monitoring, individualized dietary supervision and social programs specialized for memory care.